Medieval Europe: A Short History

by Judith M. Bennett, C. Warren Hollister, C.Warren Hollister, et al.

Book Overview

For five decades, Medieval Europe: A Short History has been the best-selling text for courses on the history of Medieval Europe. This acclaimed book has long been applauded for both its scholarship... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0075571412
• ISBN13: 9780075571414
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 390 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Wrong book delivered

A book named The New World Order was sent to me. I'm disappointed.

Informative

I read this text for a survey course on medieval history. I found the book to be better than most general history texts I've encountered in the past. The organization is superb and the writing is crisp and to the point. Oftentimes it was difficult to highlight anything because every sentence contains useful facts. Hollister writes with good humor in a subject that often lacks amusing anecdotes. The book starts with a brief view of Roman history and ends with the development of the Renaissance. There are chapters on Byzantium and Islam, as well as sections on medieval art, thought and architecture. Sidebars illuminate important medieval figures such as Hildegard of Bingen. Anybody reading this book will come away with a good foundation on medieval Europe.

Excellent Survey of Medieval Europe

I, too, had the pleasure of using this book for an undergraduate class and believe the material to be superbly organized. There seems to be just the right amount of subject headings, and the prose is clear and enjoyable to read. Moreover, illustrations and charts are equally well-placed. Rather than "cramming" a thousand years of history between its covers, the author works his way through a vast amount of material, omitting the non-essential. It is an outstanding example of what it means to survey a subject. Yes, the author has no great love for ancient Rome and perhaps believes there is too much fuss made of the Renaissance. I do not agree with either sentiment. But the author's opinions, rather than detracting from the book, are nothing but a small though refreshing infusion of personality in an area that is notoriously dry: namely, the college textbook.

A Wonderful Book!

With this review, I hope to offset some of the unfortunate negative reviews listed here. This book is not only informative, but enjoyable to read--I literally couldn't put it down! How often does one say that about a book of Medieval History? I am currently teaching my first few semesters of Music History, and chose this book to help me get a broad generalization of the currents that shaped Western civilization, and ultimately Western culture. Some may say it is too brief in the retelling of history, but I for one found this book to be exactly what I was looking for. A wonderful overview of European history.

One of the best-written textbooks out there.

It's rare to find a textbook animated by its author's love of the subject matter. And Hollister is a devoted paramour. I had the pleasure of using the seventh edition of this textbook in a medieval history class, and I still have it. Simply put, it's a far-ranging, thorough and fascinating look at the art, events, and culture of the Middle Ages. And as for the previous review's objections to the book: the reason Hollister dismisses the "Golden Age" of Rome as anything but a "Golden Age" are carfeully listed. Infanticide, widespread slavery and poverty (running up to 90 percent), and a closely-bonded upper class that enjoyed the fruits of classical culture without bothering to transmit its fruits to the remainder of the realm. Nor does Hollister object to the Renaissance: he points out that the knowledge and thought processes the Humanists claimed to have rediscovered after the "long sleep" of the Middle Ages were set in motion and used quite well during the High Middle Ages. Humanists were simply more self-consciously "awakened." HIs critique of Renaissance art (if you can even call it that) is a simple observation of how the priorities of artists were changing by the end of the late Middle Ages. This is masterful stuff. The book makes a very convincing argument that western culture was shaped more by the Middle Ages than anything following. And Hollister's playful sense of humor makes everything go down easy. You've got to love a book that can discuss the problems of urban life in London while adding this observation: "The violence of medieval London may be attributable in part to the existence (in 1309) of 354 taverns and more than 1300 ale shops -- a fact that provides added meaning to the term 'High Middle Ages.'" It's pithy asides like these that reveal the humor and humanity of Hollister's effort, and make you realize that this gentleman is in love with his work, knowledgable about it, determined to learn even more, and brave enough to crack jokes in the super-serious world of academia. A terrific introduction to the Middle Ages.

An excellent textbook overview. Very readable.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in an overview of medieval Europe. The author writes in a clear, organized style, though such text-book seriousness is occassionally betrayed by a dry sense of humor. And while openly declaring himself anti-PC, the author does not allow any ideology to directly impede his misssion of telling an engaging story. I originally bought this book to refresh my memory before a Chaucer seminar, and under such circumstances I was well served. I have re-read it since then just for the fun of it. It also makes a good gift for well-read relatives and friends. I do not hesitate in recommending Medieval Europe: A Short History to anyone interested in the topic.